Scott Kerman calls himself a professional gate-crasher—and with good reason. He claims he has attended 300 sporting events or concerts, including 25 World Series baseball games, and he has done so without paying a penny. In fact, he has written a book that describes 50 ways to sneak into concerts and sporting events.

Scott’s gate-crashing raises all sorts of ethical questions, but let’s move beyond that to a higher issue. Think with me about what it takes to get into heaven. Jesus said there’s only one way to get in—through Him (Jn. 14:6). The “ticket” is personal faith in Christ, believing that He paid the penalty for our sin and accepting His offer of forgiveness as a gift (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 6:23). That and that alone guarantees admission.

There’s no way to crash the gates of glory—and it makes absolutely no sense to try. Nobody will enter the radiant presence of God unless that person is escorted by Jesus Christ Himself.

People gate-crash events because of the high cost of tickets and the thrill of sneaking in. We could never pay the price to get into heaven, but Jesus paid it for us. There will be no greater joy than being there with Him.